A negative vote in the Lisbon Treaty referendum would do nothing to protect the jobs of more than 270,000 people who work in the construction industry, according to director general of the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) Tom Parlon.
Mr Parlon said “there are serious challenges ahead for our economy and our industry and we need to send a strong signal to international investors that Ireland is open for business”.
Calling on the construction sector to vote Yes, Mr Parlon said that Ireland’s economic development and construction growth has been possible because of foreign direct investment, with almost one thousand foreign companies in Ireland providing work for 140,000 people. Their investment in Ireland creates high-profile contracts for the construction industry.
He was speaking at a press conference with Minister of State for European Affairs Dick Roche, who said he was not into negative campaigning but if people put out factually incorrect information they had to correct that.
Mr Roche also said that the Yes campaign would increase and intensify its campaign for a Yes vote over the next six days, for what was a crucial vote for Ireland.
Mr Parlon, a former PD minister of state said a Yes vote would also provide stability amidst international economic uncertainty. He added that continued development of the Single Market would open up new investment opportunities for Irish businesses overseas.
Energy costs for Irish companies would increase “unless trans-European energy networks are put in place.
“Increasing the capacity of the European electricity and transportation networks will mean Irish products can reach European consumers more quickly and cheaply,” he pointed out.
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